New: Malaysian Bar to Challenge Najib’s House Arrest Decision

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26, 2026 – The Malaysian Bar has called on the government to disclose the full conditions and taxpayer costs of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest arrangement, while announcing plans to mount a fresh legal challenge against the Pardons Board’s decision.

Bar president Anand Raj urged the Federal Territories Pardons Board and the Prime Minister’s Department to declassify and publish the official minutes of Najib’s First and Second Pardon meetings, and to reveal all monitoring protocols, enforcement authorities, and costs associated with house arrest. He stressed that transparency is vital, noting that 37 civil society groups and 387 individuals, including former Bersih leaders Ambiga Sreenevasan and Maria Chin Abdullah, had issued a joint statement demanding accountability.

Malaysian Bar

Najib’s first pardon in January 2024 reduced his 12‑year jail term to six years and cut his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million. The second pardon, granted on Sept 18, 2026, allows him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until Aug 23, 2028, provided he pays the RM50 million fine and complies with conditions. Najib remains in prison as his accounts are frozen and he cannot afford the fine.

Anand highlighted that Malaysia has no legal framework for house arrest. Former High Court judge Alice Loke had ruled in Najib’s case that such a mechanism does not exist, while the Home Minister confirmed no law currently provides for it. The Cabinet has only approved drafting legislation in principle.

He added that past cases, such as the purported house arrest of Kenneth Lee Fook Mun, do not establish legal precedent. “There appear to be no SOPs or guidelines in place. A whole new ecosystem would be required to operationalise house arrests,” Anand said.

#latestmalaysia

Shafee: Najib Never Sought Public Donations